
ICJ
About the committee
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations (UN). It was established in June 1945 by the Charter of the United Nations and began work in April 1946. The seat of the Court is at the Peace Palace in The Hague (Netherlands). Of the six principal organs of the United Nations, it is the only one not located in New York (United States of America). The Court’s role is to settle, in accordance with international law, legal disputes submitted to it by States and to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorized United Nations organs and specialized agencies. The Court is composed of 15 judges, who are elected for terms of office of nine years by the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council. It is assisted by a Registry, its administrative organ. Its official languages are English and French. The ICJ is the only international court that settles disputes between the 193 UN Member States. This means that it makes an important contribution to global peace and security, providing a way for countries to resolve issues without resorting to conflict.
Agenda Item
Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem
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On December 29, 2023, South Africa filed a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. This case arose following Israel's military operations in Gaza since October 7, 2023. South Africa alleges that Israel violated international law and the 1948 UN Genocide Convention during these operations. South Africa characterizes Israel's actions against the population of Gaza as genocide, claiming that Israel's actions are intended to destroy a national, ethnic or racial group. It sought injunctive relief to put an immediate end to Israel's actions. The case is currently being heard in The Hague, the Netherlands, where the ICJ is based. The first hearings began in early 2024, and the parties are presenting their arguments at the hearings. While South Africa's legal team is attempting to prove that Israel's actions amount to genocide, Israel has rejected these claims and has stated that the case lacks legal merit. Believing that justice will always be served sooner or later, the delegates in this committee, as defenders of both countries, will try to exonerate themselves on the accusations of both sides, or bring evidence that proves the other side wrong, and in the light of this, try to convince the judges with their defense.